One of
President Obama's many focuses these days seems to be ensuring that the U.S.
has less dependence on foreign oil than it has today by time he leaves office.
The Obama administration has been working
hard with states and automakers to come to agreement on the CAFE
regulations that will govern the required fleet wide fuel economy figures in
the future.

Graham also criticized the plan to give automakers credits for building
electric vehicles and failed to take into account the impact of generating
the electricity the vehicles use. Graham also claims that Obama is overstating
the long-term benefits of the increased fuel economy standards and is
forecasting higher fuel prices than what the Energy Information Agency is
predicting.

Graham is not alone in making claims that the CAFE standards aren't going to do
what the Obama administration is claiming. Rep. Darrell Issa (R, CA), Chairman
of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, went so far as to claim
that giving double credits to automakers for EVs is akin to "fudging the
numbers." Issa claims that automakers might be forced into building EVs at
the expense of clean
diesel or hybrid
vehicles.

Starting in 2017, automakers will be able to use credits on EVs for less
efficient vehicles in their fleet. Rep. Mike Kelly (R, PA) went so far as to
say the 54.5mpg requirement would harm consumer choice and put the future of
private transportation at risk.

"We're
picking and choosing what people are allowed to drive and not drive or
purchase," Kelly warned.

Graham
echoed that statement, adding, "[One key issue for regulators] is whether
the quest for more energy savings will inadvertently hurt consumers by causing
vehicle manufacturers to produce cars and trucks that do not satisfy customer
preferences for vehicle size, performance and/or safety.”

"It's okay. The scenarios aren't that clear. But it's good looking. [Steve Jobs] does good design, and [the iPad] is absolutely a good example of that." -- Bill Gates on the Apple iPad